News

Vital Congregations: NCJ's Adaptive Challenge

AKRON, Ohio – If The United Methodist Church is to become a movement again, it must redirect the flow of attention, energy and resources to increasing the number of vital congregations effective in the disciple-making process and the episcopal leadership in the North Central Jurisdiction is committed to leading in that direction. Bishops Bruce Ough of the West Ohio Conference and Bishop Gregory V. Palmer of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference shared the stage for the Episcopal Address...

Bishop issues several invitations in Episcopal Address

PEORIA – Bishop Gregory V. Palmer invited members of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference to enter into open, honest and heartfelt conversations about difficult issues without discounting those to whom one disagrees. Near the end of a 40-minute Episcopal Address, Palmer announced a change to the Annual Conference agenda in which a 45-minute period of time would be set aside to begin the “difficult work” of entering into holy conferencing.   “What if your greatest...

Bishop defines reality and says 'thank you'

Bishop Gregory V. Palmer used his third Episcopal Address to report on the progress of four initiatives which he proposed at the 2010 Annual Conference and then said “thank you” to the Annual Conference for “showing up and responding in so many ways to the needs within our conference and around the world.” The Bishop reported that $1.5 million in pledges and financial commitments have been secured in the first six months of the $2.3 to $3.5 million Imagine No Malaria...

Bishop outlines four major initiatives

Listen to the Episcopal Address PEORIA – Bishop Gregory V. Palmer called on United Methodists in southern and central Illinois to join in a revival movement that involves four major initiatives – a means of getting back to the Why while paying attention to the What and How. “Will you join me? Let’s get in the revival,” Palmer urged at the conclusion of his 45- minute episcopal address, which was greeted with a standing ovation by the nearly 2,000 in...